High anticipation, intense excitement and suspense filled the air as the curtain rose on the first day of the one-eighth stage of the 2023 National Championship of the National Science and Maths Quiz (NSMQ).

Emotions ran high, and the stakes were palpable as participating schools brimmed with enthusiasm in preparation for the prestigious competition.

The setting was charged with intensity as schools that had already secured their one-eighth slots and those who had journeyed from the preliminary stage gathered, all eager and spirited, striving to secure a coveted spot in the quarter-finals of the National Championship race.

This intellectual battle unfolded at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region on Wednesday, October 11, 2023.

The day's inaugural contest showcased Ghanata SHS, Wesley Girls High School, and Archbishop Porter Girls SHS.

Wesley Girls High School took the early lead in the first round of the contest with a remarkable score, showcasing their academic prowess and leaving their competitors trailing. They maintained their impressive performance, further widening the gap between Ghanata SHS and Archbishop Porter Girls.

Wesley Girls High School ultimately secured victory with an impressive 54 points, with Ghanata SHS and Archbishop Porter Girls SHS earning 24 and 25 points, respectively.

In the next contest which unfolded in the early hours, Ghana National College, Mpraeso SHS, and Aggrey Memorial Zion SHS engaged in a fierce battle.

Mpraeso SHS seized the early lead in the first round of the contest and maintained their dominance through the second round with only a point difference between them and Ghana National College. However, in an unexpected twist, Ghana National College made an overtaking in the fourth round with a commanding score.

But Mpraeso SHS demonstrated dedication and teamwork, staging a remarkable comeback in the final round of the contest and securing victory with an impressive 43 points. Ghana National College and Aggrey Memorial Zion SHS earned 39 and 25 points, respectively.

Another intense clash to secure a quarter-final slot featured Bishop Herman College, Adidome SHS, and OLA SHS, Ho.

Bishop Herman College displayed academic prowess, holding their ground in the first round of the contest. As the contest progressed, emotions ran high, and the atmosphere grew more intense as the schools displayed their academic prowess and intellectual skills. In a surprising turn, Adidome SHS caught up, securing the same points in the fourth round.

However, Bishop Herman College, with dedication and teamwork, staged a triumphant comeback in the final round of the contest, securing 31 points. Adidome SHS ended with 31 points, while OLA SHS, Ho, earned 24 points.

As the sun climbed high in the sky, another fierce battle ensued between Osei Kyeretwie SHS, St Joseph Seminary SHS, and Notre Dame Girls SHS.

Osei Kyeretwie SHS dominated the first and second rounds of the contest with an impressive score. St Joseph Seminary SHS secured second place, leaving no room for Notre Dame Girls SHS to make a comeback.

With determination and hard work, Osei Kyeretwie SHS further widened the point gap in the fourth and final round, securing a total of 49 points to clinch a quarter-final spot. St Joseph Seminary SHS and Notre Dame Girls SHS garnered 39 and 27 points, respectively.

The fifth one-eighth stage contest of the day featured Kumasi High School, Anlo SHS, and Okuapemman School.

Anlo SHS took the lead in the first round of the contest but found themselves trailing as Kumasi High School overtook them with an impressive performance in the second round. Kumasi High School maintained their position in subsequent rounds and ultimately secured victory with 40 points, while Okuapemman School and Anlo SHS gained 36 and 34 points, respectively.

The subsequent contest witnessed a fierce competition between Assin State College, Achimota School, and Holy Child School.

Achimota School took the lead in the first and second rounds of the contest, securing an overwhelming margin over its competitors and leaving them in their wake. Achimota School continued to widen the point gap in the fourth and fifth rounds of the contest, ultimately clinching a one-eighth-stage spot with an impressive 66 points.

Holy Child School and Assin State College earned 41 and 30 points, respectively.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, another exciting contest unfolded between Swedru Secondary School, Wesley Grammar School, and Tema Methodist SHS.

Wesley Grammar School dominated the first and second rounds of the contest, leaving their competitors behind. The contest grew more intense in subsequent rounds as the schools displayed their intellectual skills and academic prowess.

Wesley Grammar School stood their ground, and at the close of the final round, they answered a tie-breaker question to secure victory with 31 points, while Tema Methodist also secured 31 points, and Swedru Secondary School earned 28 points.

The day's next contest featured Adventist SHS Bantama, Anglican SHS Kumasi, and St Charles Minor Seminary.

Anglican SHS, Kumasi took the lead in the first round of the contest, leaving their competitors trailing. They further widened the point gap in the third and fourth rounds, eventually booking a quarter-final spot with an impressive 40 points, while Adventist SHS, Bantama came close with 39 points, and St Charles Minor Seminary placed third with 16 points.

The ninth and final contest of the day was a fierce battle between Adisadel College, St Louis SHS, and Abuakwa State College.

St Louis SHS secured the lead in the first round of the contest, leaving their competitors behind. As the contest progressed, they showcased their academic prowess and teamwork, further widening the point gap between Adisadel College and Abuakwa State College.

At the end of the contest, St Louis triumphed with an impressive 53 points. Abuakwa State College came second with 29 points, while Adisadel College finished with 19 points.

The 2023 National Science and Maths Quiz is produced by Primetime Limited and sponsored by the Ghana Education Service in partnership with Goil PLC and supported by A.T, Prudential Life Insurance Ghana, and Pepsodent.
The broadcast of the National Science and Maths Quiz on JoyNews and Joy Prime is supported by Vitamilk, NASCO, German Ozone Medical Center, Royal Foam, Jamaa Soap, Heritage Christian College, Virtual Security Africa, Ace Medical Insurance, Chopbox Technologies, Sintex Tank, DBS, New Crystal Health Services, INVEST CORP, Built Financial Technologies, Beta Malt, Bright SHS Kukurantumi and Family Health University College.